Does money matter?
Now, before anyone tightens up or checks their wallet, let’s get something straight—
this sermon isn’t about getting your money.
It’s about understanding money.
Because when it comes to money, most people only think about one thing:
getting it.
But Scripture shows us there’s another side of money that we don’t talk about nearly enough— giving it.
And here’s why this matters:
Money shows up everywhere in Scripture.
There are roughly 800 verses in the Bible that deal with money and possessions.
Jesus talked about money more than He talked about heaven and hell combined.
Out of His 39 parables, 11 directly address money.
And in the Gospel of Luke, one out of every seven verses has something to say about money.
So yeah—MONEY MATTERS TO GOD.
Yet the moment money is mentioned in church, people squirm.
We act like it’s inappropriate… or unspiritual… or somehow off-limits.
But the Bible never treats money that way.
Why?
Because money isn’t just about finances—it’s about faith, trust, and obedience.
Before we read our passage, let’s clear something up.
When we talk about money in church, we often reduce it to tithes and offerings—and that’s part of it—but there’s something deeper going on.
A tithe is simply a tenth—one tenth of what God has already given back to Him.
It’s not a payment.
It’s not a fee.
It’s an act of obedience and worship.
Tithing teaches us something important:
When God asks for something, He’s not trying to take from us—
He’s trying to shape us.
Jesus said in Luke 14:33: “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
That’s not about loss.
That’s about lordship.
Now, let’s hear what God’s Word says.
1 Corinthians 16:1–4 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
As we look at this passage, Paul shows us that biblical giving isn’t random, emotional, or pressured.
It’s intentional.
And the first thing we learn is this:
I. GIVING IS PLANNED
Paul says in verse 2:
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income…”
This tells us something important—
giving is not an afterthought.
It’s planned.
When Scripture assigns an action to a specific recurring day, it implies consistency.
We understand this principle everywhere else in life.
If your employer says, “You get paid on the last day of the week,”
you expect to be paid every week.
If someone says, “We meet on the second Tuesday of the month,”
you don’t show up once a year.
Likewise, when Paul says the first day of every week,
he’s showing us that giving is meant to be a regular rhythm of worship.
Giving wasn’t done impulsively.
It was prepared ahead of time.
It was intentional.
And notice—Paul says each one of you.
Which leads us to a tension many Christians face.
Attendance & Giving
One of the quiet dangers of inconsistent church attendance is inconsistent giving.
Not because the church “needs” your money—
but because you need the discipline.
If someone prospers during the week but withholds giving simply because they missed church, that’s not obedience—that’s selective faithfulness.
Giving trains us.
It keeps us aligned.
It keeps our hearts in check.
We are creatures of habit—
and spiritual habits shape spiritual maturity.
II. GIVING IS PERSONAL
Money is personal.
That’s why people get uncomfortable.
And Scripture doesn’t shy away from that.
Malachi 3:8–10 says:
“Will a mere mortal rob God? … Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty…”
This is the only place in Scripture where God says, “Test Me.”
Illustration: “The Olympic Athlete”
When I watch the Olympics, I don’t just see the medal ceremony—I see the years nobody saw. Early mornings. Sore muscles. Missed parties. Discipline when no one was clapping. Every athlete standing on that podium paid a personal price to get there.
Because conditioning is personal.
You can’t fake it.
You can’t borrow someone else’s endurance.
When the match starts, what you INVESTED shows up.
Giving is like that. It reveals what we really trust. It’s not about God needing our money—it’s about God developing our faith. When He says, “Test Me,” He’s not challenging our wallet; He’s challenging our trust. And just like conditioning produces strength for the Olympic Athlete, faithful giving produces strength in the soul.
You don’t see the results the first sprint. But over time? You get stronger. And God says, “Try Me. Watch what I do.” TEST ME!
Not with salvation.
Not with healing.
Not with forgiveness.
With money.
Why?
Because money exposes trust faster than anything else.
God isn’t saying, “Give so I can get.”
He’s saying, “Give so you can trust.”
And notice—God doesn’t say the blessing stops with you.
Blessing overflows.
Your obedience today may touch lives you never see.
Let’s be honest—
obedience is hardest when things feel unstable.
But Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:
“Your heavenly Father knows what you need.”
When you tithe, you’re not ignoring reality—
you’re declaring trust.
Hebrews 11:6 says faith pleases God.
Faith is believing God will do what He promised—even when it doesn’t feel safe.
Let me say this clearly:
This is not about pressure.
This is not about guilt.
This is about prayer.
If God is not calling you to obedience in this area, no one here can judge you.
But every believer should pray honestly and seek God’s wisdom.
James 1:5 tells us God gives wisdom generously.
Money does matter to God—
just not the way it matters to the world.
God doesn’t ask for our money because He needs it.
He asks because we need the growth.
Giving matures us.
It disciplines us.
It teaches us trust.
And yes—it stretches us.
But stretching builds strength.
God could accomplish everything without our money…
but then what would we learn about faith?
Money matters—
because obedience matters.
CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:
1. What does my spending reveal about what I truly trust?
Take an honest look at where your money goes first each week and ask God to show you what it says about your priorities and faith.
2. Have I intentionally planned my giving, or do I give only when it feels convenient? Reflect on whether generosity is a regular act of worship in your life or an occasional emotional response.
3. If God asked me to trust Him more deeply with my finances, what fear would I have to confront? Identify the worry, control, or insecurity that may be keeping you from full obedience—and bring it to God in prayer.
